THE SMILING BREED

Two faces put me in a good mood everyday! One is that of Kalai, my gym instructor, and the other is that of Durai, the security-in-charge where I work. They are so good at an art that I badly want to master.

Some people smile if they hear a joke. Some smile if they see something funny or think of something they like. Some smile if they're generally happy, without any specific reason. Only a few can keep smiling all the time. Kalai and Durai are black-belts in that art. And yes, they are are of sound mental health, and people with problems (I'm sure) just like everybody else.

I have worked in an international call center and have interacted with thousands of customers. The tone with which you open the call almost always determines the tone of the customer's reply. We followed a golden rule at work which was "Smile (literally) on the call, though the customer at the other end cannot see you. For the smile will be conveyed in your tone!" And that tip SO worked! (wonder why I never thought of applying it after work)

I have relatives, who, the minute you enter their house, say "Vaanga Vaanga!" (Tamil for "Welcome, please come in") with so much gusto! That makes me feel so good and...welcome! A sincere smile too implies the same degree of warmth and comfort. It says "I'm happy to see you" to the other person without saying the actual words.

I envy the smiling breed sometimes. I cannot disguise my sorrow even if I added a beard and moustache to it. So without waiting for New Year, I'm making a resolution (w.e.f. NOW) to smile more in my everyday interactions. And greet people more cheerfully!

I'll keep this blogcrowd posted about the results.